Fire escape



(No Model.) J H FORD FIRE ESCAPE.

No. 285,250. Patented Sept. 18, 1883.

I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIcR.

JOHN H. FORD, OF TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 285,250, dated September 18, 1883, Application filed April 13, 1883. (No model.)

a level with the outside of a window-sill, in connection with an iron ladder arranged and constructed substantially as hereinafter described and claimed.

Figure 1 shows my device with the ladder not in use. Fig. 2 is aview of the same, showing the ladder ready for use.

In the drawings, A represents the platform, hinged on the outside of the wall near the window-sills B.

O is an iron ladder, the upper end of which is provided with strong staples fitting on the vertical guiding-bars D, which are fastened to the Wall of the building, as indicated, and are designed to connect the top of the ladder firmly to the wall, while permitting the ladder to move vertically in order to allow itto be moved close to the wall, as shown in Fig. 1, or with its bottom extended out, as shown in Fig. 2.

It will be noticed that supporting-bars E extend out from the side of the ladder, and are intended to extend below the platform A when the bottom of the ladder G is extended out, as shown in Fig. 2. When the ladder is close to the wall, as shown in Fig. ,1, the platforms A are held in a vertical position by the side of the ladder C. When the ladder and platforms are in the position shown in Fig. 2, the chains F constitute an additional support for the platforms A, and also may be used as a support, for the party stepping onto the platform to grasp.

-When my improved fire-escape is not re quired, it will be closed, as shown in Fig. 1. Immediately a fire occurs it is merely necessary to draw out the bottom of the ladder,when the platforms assume the position shown in Fig. 2, and the occupants of the different rooms having windows leading onto the platform, have merely to step out of the window onto the platform A, grasping the railing G, which is attached to the side of the building, seizing the chains F, if necessary, then, by stepping onto the ladder O, can descend to the ground without difficulty.

In order to provide something easier to grasp than the side of the ladder, I attach to one side. of the ladder avertical rod, H, which can easily be seized by the party stepping onto the ladder, enabling anyone to carry a child or anything else in his disengaged arm.

Vhat I claim as my invention is-- 1. An iron ladder having its top end provided with staples adapted to slide on vertical guiding-bars attached to the side of a building, in combination with platforms hinged to the side of the building near the windowsills, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. As an improved fire-escape, the platform A, hinged near the window-sills B, in combination with a ladder, O, the upper end of which is provided with strong staples fitting onto the vertical guiding-bars D, and the supporting-bars E, extending out from the side of the ladder for supporting the platform, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

JOHN H. FORD \Vitnesses;

OHAs. G. BALDWIN, F. B. FETHERSTONHAUGH. 

